Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming Model Years 2017 Through 2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

Topics:  Mercedes-Maybach S600

Otto G. Matheke III
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
30 December 2019

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72133-72134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2019-0117; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
Model Years 2017 Through 2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman 
Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) receipt of a petition for a decision that model 
year (MY) 2017-2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman passenger cars 
(PCs) that were not originally manufactured to comply with all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible 
for importation into the United States because they are substantially 
similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the 
United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as 
complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 
2017-2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 PCs) and are capable of being 
readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is January 29, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, 
views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the 
docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and may be 
submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver comments by hand to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
except for Federal Holidays.
     Electronically: Submit comments electronically by logging 
onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493-2251.
    Comments must be written in the English language, and be no greater 
than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of 
necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in 
hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish 
to receive confirmation that comments you have submitted by mail were 
received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard along with 
the comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided.
    All comments and supporting materials received before the close of

[[Page 72134]]

business on the closing date indicated above will be filed in the 
docket and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials 
received after the closing date will also be filed and will be 
considered to the fullest extent possible.
    All comments, background documentation, and supporting materials 
submitted to the docket may be viewed by anyone at the address and 
times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for 
accessing the dockets. The docket ID number for this petition is shown 
in the heading of this notice.
    DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement is available for review in a 
Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477-78).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mazurowski, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-1012).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a motor vehicle that was not 
originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS shall be 
refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided that 
the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle 
originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United 
States, certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and of the same MY as the 
model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is capable of being 
readily altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS.
    Petitions for eligibility decisions may be submitted by either 
manufacturers or importers who have registered with NHTSA pursuant to 
49 CFR part 592. As specified in 49 CFR 593.7, NHTSA publishes notice 
of each petition that it receives in the Federal Register, and affords 
interested persons an opportunity to comment on the petition. At the 
close of the comment period, NHTSA decides, on the basis of the 
petition and any comments that it has received, whether the vehicle is 
eligible for importation. The agency then publishes this decision in 
the Federal Register.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc., (Registered Importer R-90-007), of 
Santa Ana, California has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
nonconforming 2017-2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman PCs are 
eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which G&K 
Automotive Conversion, Inc. believes are substantially similar are MY 
2017-2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 PCs sold in the United States and 
certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all applicable FMVSS. 
The S600 Pullman is a limousine based on the S600 sedan and 
manufactured by BRABUS GmbH.
    The petitioner claims that it compared non-U.S. certified MY 2017-
2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman PCs to their U.S. certified 
counterparts, and found the vehicles to be substantially similar with 
respect to compliance with most FMVSS.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. submitted information with its 
petition intended to demonstrate that non-U.S. certified MY 2017-2019 
Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman PCs, as originally manufactured, 
conform to many applicable FMVSS in the same manner as their U.S.-
certified counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to 
conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that 
the non-U.S. certified MY 2017-2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S600 Pullman 
PCs, as originally manufactured, conform to: FMVSS Nos. 102, 
Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and 
Transmission Braking Effect, 103, Windshield Defrosting and Defogging 
Systems, 104, Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 106, Brake Hoses, 
113, Hood Latch System, 114, Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention, 
116, Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 118, Power-Operated Window, Partition, 
and Roof Panel System, 124, Accelerator Control Systems, 126, 
Electronic Stability Control Systems, 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems, 
138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires, 
201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 202, Head Restraints; 
Applicable at the Manufacturers Option until September 1, 2009, 204, 
Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 205, Glazing Materials, 206, 
Door Locks and Door Retention Components, 207, Seating Systems, 208, 
Occupant Crash Protection, 209, Seat Belt Assemblies, 210, Seat Belt 
Assembly Anchorages, 212, Windshield Mounting, 214, Side Impact 
Protection, 216, Roof Crush Resistance; Applicable unless a Vehicle is 
Certified to Sec.  571.216a, 219, Windshield Zone Intrusion, 225, Child 
Restraint Anchorage Systems, and 302, Flammability of Interior 
Materials.
    The petitioner also contends that the subject non-U.S. certified 
vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following 
FMVSS, in the manner indicated:
    FMVSS No. 101, Controls and Displays: Programming of the 
speedometer for units of miles per hour. FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, 
Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment: Replacement of headlamps 
and front and rear side marker assemblies. FMVSS No. 110, Tire 
Selection and Rims: Addition of tire information placard. FMVSS No. 
111, Rear Mirrors: Inscription of the required warning statement on the 
face of the passenger mirror. FMVSS No. 301, Fuel System Integrity: 
Inspect and if necessary replace with U.S. companion model components. 
FMVSS No. 401, Interior Trunk Release: Addition of a trunk release.
    The petitioner additionally states that a vehicle identification 
plate must be affixed to the vehicle, near the left windshield pillar, 
to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 565, as well as, a reference 
and certification label added to the left front door post area to meet 
the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 
CFR 593.7; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

Otto G. Matheke III,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2019-28140 Filed 12-27-19; 8:45 am]
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